Reverend Ransford Obeng believes people who are God-fearing will not engage in corrupt acts – a canker that has retarded Ghana’s development in many ways.

[contextly_sidebar id=”cayWFbdkElTLc9OBbLvdZjc8lIZVHnDR”]He maintained that, the CCC is thus leading the crusade by using events like the Spiritual Empowerment, to kelp transform Ghanaians to have the fear of God in them, in order for them to change some of their negative attitudes and contribute positively to Ghana’s development.

He spoke to Citi News at a news conference to announce the upcoming three-day encounter with President of the Eastwood Anaba Ministries.

Posters of the Founder and Senior Pastor of the Fountain Gate Chapel, Reverend Eastwood Anaba, have flooded major streets as he visits the center for the second time to lead the Spiritual Empowerment which is being hosted by the CCC in Kumasi.

According to the host pastor, Reverend Obeng, the CCC has chosen Reverend Anaba for the programme because of his credibility, integrity and closeness to God.

He said Reverend Anaba also possesses the word of God that can equip attendees of the event to surmount every crisis of their lives in the future.

He indicated that “the only way we can root out corruption, is when men and women have the fear of God in their hearts, and that is why we have such programmes like this that if somebody comes even if he is a politician, he will be touched by God. You can’t say you are not corrupt until you have the opportunity to corrupt yourself and you don’t become corrupt. It’s like you can’t say you are not a thief if you have not been getting the opportunity to steal, if you have the opportunity to steal, and you don’t steal, you can say I am not a thief.”

Reverend Obeng advised politicians in the country to consider the plight of the individual Ghanaian and have mercy on them.

Commenting on the recent gas explosion that killed seven people and injured over 100 others at the Atomic junction in Accra, he urged businesses to heed to safety measures to avoid such disasters.

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By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Many including our former president, John Agyekum Kuffour have said corruption is as old as Adam which suggests it is a complex task to tackle. “Corruption” is a word whose definition has been given varied interpretations. To some, it is relative to culture, i.e where you are coming from and how you describe it. However, without referring to any definition from any reference, from daily experience, it is  a form of dishonest desire  by a person or group for an activity that serves their selfish  personal interest other than the general good.

Just as Imani Ghana, a Public Think Tank estimates that over three Billion dollars of tax payers monies are lost annually through corruption, It is ten months already, and I ask how much more of our  taxpayers monies gone to corruption?

The president, Nana Akufo-Addo during his inaugural address, inter alia, said he would protect the public purse. He admonished Ghanaians to be citizens and not spectators for national development. As part of his grand strategy, he is establishing the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to fight high crimes to complement other existing structures.

On another platform, he has said he would not “steal” our monies and that he should be trusted. But  the question is , will the team he has  put in place  in the executive – right from the  presidency,  ministers,  leaders in charge of  state organizations, administrative heads and the civil servants; the legislature, the Judiciary and the  media fraternity and  as well as general Ghanaian populace sing from the same hymn book?

Just open a discussion about bribery and corruption and one is certain of pointing accusing fingers at the politician next door. But in a reverse discussion thrown back, one is certain to say when given the opportunity he will also “chop” as we say in Ghana, Suggesting that the entity called Ghana is not for anyone.

On daily basis Ghanaians employed in the public and private space to provide varied forms of services use their position dishonestly. One is certain to demand money or a brown envelope for a service provided and that is normal. In fact, the recipient of the service is equally willing to part with some money! The intention behind that is a “betrothal” for a tomorrow opportunity! Here you are considered as being smart. If you dare otherwise and question the status quo, you are certain to be branded “too known”.

According to the Ghana 2010 Population census report, 71% of the Ghanaian population profess to be Christians. Therefore, every seven out of ten (7: 10) people profess to be Christians. By a logical conclusion of these statistics who are corrupt?

I reiterate what the Koforidua Area Head of the church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye said that corruption is an evil desire and Christians must shun, particularly those in key positions in government

I expect the Lecture will conduct a stimulating postmortem of the Christian flock as per the theme and proffer a direction that provides a practical demonstration to the teachings of Christ who is our example. The Bible teachings prescribe attitudes modeled on the life of Jesus Christ, one that answers the question as Charles Sheldon wrote “what will Jesus do”. Which is to say, the value proposition of integrity should permeate our interaction with the community, environment, workplace and all humanity for national development and as a service to God? This should be the anchor moral value upon which our national development rides on.

It is time for the church to be active agents of change by partnering with government and other stakeholders such as Islamic community, traditional leaders who are the custodians of culture in the fight against corruption, and other social vices. The indecent acculturation seen on the theatrical stage and media space by some print media houses exposing pornographic images to our unsuspecting children must stop. At 60, we need the right moral values to guide our national developmental path.

It seems to me that the Christian leadership has not taken advantage of the “chance“ to bring in orderliness within its fold. Come to think about it, there are Christian church associations like Ghana Pentecostal and charismatic council, the Christian Council of Ghana amongst others but not all churches are under their fold to regulate their activities. It is a fact that that there is no law that hold them bound to any association.  So do we throw out our hands in the air for the insanity to prevail on the airwaves and national psyche? Thankfully, the ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs has been established. This offers the church leadership an opportunity to collaborate with the ministry in working out a policy that streamlines their activities.

Another worry trend into the bargain, which perhaps, have not interrogated is the seemingly commercialization of the church by some. It is a fact that there is a huge unemployment amongst the youth and the middle age class. It not farfetched to come to a conclusion judging from what happens on our radio and television space with all manner of pastors rushing for space to advertise their churches and seek members. it is worth quoting  a former president  Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo that “there is no doubt that all our institutions have been tarnished by the brush of corruption” . He made this statetement when giving a speech at a church program. I dare say that, as the Christian flock is the microcosm of the church, we need to be frank and see some truth in that statement.

As we do prognosis of the endemic corruption and seek a holistic solution to the canker, we should also be looking at the whistleblower policy and reward system how effective it has been thou far in the fight against bribery and corruption. There have been one too many complaints of people who have reported corrupt and fraudulent activities and have been often left to the mercy of the system. In such circumstance, one falls into dilemma over whether to report a corrupt issue or not. That certainly is detrimental to the fight against  corruption.

I bring readers again to the question   “what will Jesus do?” if you are faced with a dishonest situation.

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By: Ebenezer Annang/[email protected]

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“I actually have a direct line which I can call Him on and get instructions on how to proceed,” Pastor Paul Sanyangore of Victory World International has been quoted as saying. In the video, the pastor can be seen holding his cell phone and responding to God’s questions, he claims.

He calls a woman from the crowd, and as she kneels down, he then starts receiving instructions from “heaven”.

“Hello, is this heaven? I have a woman here, what do you have to say about her? Oh … I should ask her who is Sibo,” he asks “heaven”. The woman then responds telling him who the said person is.

“What else Papa God? What else? God is telling me to ask you why is it He’s showing me a heart?”

The woman again responds.

“He says we should pray for your children, two of them. He is saying the other one is epileptic, the other one is asthmatic. He is saying I should ask you who is in Bulawayo.”

The woman then tells the pastor that the said children are in Bulawayo.

“God is telling me to tell you your story has changed. God is telling me to ask you about a food outlet.”

Again the woman responds.

“Heaven in online,” he says.

Watch the video below:

In an interview with Zimbabwean news site H-Metro, the pastor, also known as Pastor Talent, said he did not understand why people were surprised about his actions, further claiming to have a direct number to God.

“I have a direct channel, actually I have His number and I can call Him when need arises. It is possible to talk to God; why would you doubt that I got a call from Him? I actually have a direct line which I can call Him on and get instructions on how to proceed. I got this when I was praying and I heard a voice telling me to call direct,” he was quoted as saying.

He reportedly said he would make the numbers available to the public when the time was right.

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Source: citizen.co.za

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According to him, he is well positioned to attract floating voters to enable the party win the 2016 election if elected flagbearer of the party.

Mr. Kyeremanten made the comment in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

The twice-defeated presidential hopeful believed it was about time NPP delegates gave him the chance to prove his worth in the face of the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country.

Mr. Kyeremanten refuted the assertion that he only showed interest in party activities when it was time for flagbearership elections.

He described it as mere propaganda by his opponents who intended to mar his campaign to occupy the woolsack of the NPP.

According to him, Ghana needs a leader who could combine vision with action and “I believe I have the track record to turn things around.”

“All those contesting have their qualities but we are talking about situational leadership and I know I can make a difference.”

Source: Ghanaian Times

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The campaign group in UK last Sunday fired the first salvo from the diaspora in a bid to convince NPP delegates that Nana Akufo-Addo still remains the best chance of returning NPP to power in 2016.

The campaign launch for Nana Akufo-Addo at Tottenham’s Chestnut Community Arts Centre in London, North London, was attended by a large crowd of supporters, NPP branch executives and non-partisan Ghanaians.

The group called for a grassroots campaign for Nana Akufo-Addo, not only for the forthcoming NPP Congress but also towards Election 2016. They charged supporters of Nana Akufo-Addo to be positive in their message and emulate the clear example of the man they are campaigning for.

Delivering the key note address at the UK campaign for Nana Addo, Shirley Ayorkor-Botchwey, MP for Anyaa-Sowutuom, who brought a special message from Nana Akufo-Addo from Accra, noted that Nana Akufo-Addo remains the man who is well known and accepted by the NPP grassroots and any attempt to change him will risk NPP losing in 2016.

She said, out of the 122 NPP Members of Parliament, she could confidently say that “Nana Addo can count on the support of about 100 of us.” She said the MPs are solidly behind Nana Akufo-Addo because, “Everywhere we go in our various constituencies the people tell us, ‘if you don’t bring Nana Addo we will not vote.’ The people love him and they believe in him. Even those who admit to not voting for him are now saying they regret that decision and want us to bring him back.”

The former Deputy Foreign Minister to Nana Akufo-Addo during the Kufuor administration said of her former boss, “I was the happiest Deputy Minister because I worked under the best Minister. Nana is a professional. He has vision. And, I can tell you, he has never been corrupt, he is not corrupt, and he will not be corrupted.”

She noted that Nana remains the most viable candidate who can lead the vision of the NPP in any future administration.

She recounted Nana’s sojourn in UK for 6 months after the Supreme Court verdict and how UK helped to prepare him for the March 20th Declaration. She therefore charged his supporters in UK to maintain the sense of conviction that they imbued in Nana to culminate his final decision to return to frontline politics.

Samuel Atta-Akyea, who succeeded Nana Akufo-Addo as the MP for Abuakwa-South reaffirmed the need for NPP to retain Nana Akufo-Addo as the flagbearer for 2016. He said, Nana Akufo-Addo has served Ghana for over 36 years in frontline politics because he is determined to leave a legacy that can change the destiny of the people.

“He was privileged enough to have education, because his father could afford it. He wants every Ghanaian child to have what he had. He wants to transform Ghana’s economy because his focus is on the next generation and not just the next election. Nana remains in politics, not for personal gain. Because he has something big to offer to Ghana. Ghanaians must give him the chance to deliver for us.”

Rousing the enthusiastic crowd to a rousing praise song, he convinced the crowd of supporters that NPP, and for that matter Nana Akufo-Addo, did not lose the 2012 elections and for that matter it would be suicidal for NPP to change him as the flagbearer for 2016, especially since the NDC’s second term ends in 2016.

Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, formerly of the Danquah Institute, and now a consultant based in London, lamented on the poor state of Ghana’s economy and showed, with statistics, the amount of revenues that have been at the disposal of the NDC, yet with very little to show for all that.

He said, the NDC, from 2009 to 2013, spent, besides the billions of dollars of loans, GHS83 billion, as compared to the GHS31 billion President J A Kufuor spent in 8 years.

Gabby added that, by the time the NPP left office in January 2009, if the total debt of the country were to be shared, every citizen would owe GHS423.00. By February 2014, that amount has increased nearly five times to GHS2,255.00.

He said, Ghanaians are looking to the NPP for inspiration and the party cannot fail to respond to that call.

Gabby said he could feel the spirit of 2000 returning. “What we do know for a fact is that the 4th Republic has established a two-term trend, where every government so far has been given two terms and you are out. But, what is also notable about this is that the opposition party that wins has always maintained its candidate from the previous election. We saw it in 2000 and we saw it again in 2008,” the founder of the Danquah Institute stressed.

He admonished the NPP not to think that they invented democracy. “NPP is a party that spends more time, energy and resources fighting each other than fighting for power. It is frustrating,” he said.

He called on the party to spend less time fighting each other and more time being seen to be addressing the concerns of Ghanaians.

He reminded Ghanaians to be vigilant of the electoral process, especially the voters’ registration process. He said, the party, and Ghanaians, in general, should not compromise on the need to have the voters register audited.

“You can’t have a country with a median age of 20.8 having a  voters register with more than 56% of the population on it,” Gabby said, comparing the statistics from Ghana to other countries in Europe and Africa to stress home the point.

Ghana’s median age means that, by the national census, some half of the population are older than 21 and the other half younger than 21. Ghana’s voting age is 18.

Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, MP for Ablekuma West, took to the podium to thank NPP UK for the initiative in starting the campaign and pleaded with the people of UK to keep the fire burning in the bid to make Nana Akufo-Addo the flagbearer for NPP and the President of Ghana in 2017.

The Akufo-Addo for 2016 Campaign Group is made up of well-meaning Ghanaians in the UK, drawn from a wide section of the community including business people, ordinary members of NPP UK, the media, The Aljazeera Ladies, community groups and well-meaning individuals.

The group draws a great deal of support from the leadership of NPP UK and aims to bring together a number of initiatives here in UK and Ghana to support the campaign, not only to make Nana Akufo-Addo the flagbearer of NPP, but also the President of Ghana in 2017 with Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia as his Vice President.

The group aims to launch the campaign across UK and Europe and draw in a number of initiatives to help bolster Nana and Dr Bawumia’s campaign in the forthcoming primaries and general elections.

Credit: Akufo-Addo for 2016 UK Campaign Group

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The regional chairmen on Monday held a press conference asking the National Executive Council to move the date for electing a presidential candidate from December 6, 2014 to a new date in September 2014.

‘’We have a constitution and we shall at all time follow it; we have ways of addressing these things. They, being members of the National Executive Committee and National Council, I would expect that they will raise it right there,’’ he said.

He asked members with such to choose ‘’the appropriate platform’’ for resolution.

According to the chairmen, the change in date will help reduce the negative attacks  that characterize the primaries.

But Mr. Crabbe in an interview on Eyewitness News said if the concerns of the regional chairmen have merit, they should use the party structures to address them and they will be appropriately addressed.

”… I believe that if these things are raised at the appropriate quarters and targeted properly; i believe people will listen and they have any merit, will be [dealt with]…” he noted.

He called on the party’s regional chairmen to respect the constitution of the party.

By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to the chairmen, this will help reduce the negative attacks  that characterize the primaries.

The party, a fortnight ago, announced that it will elect a presidential candidate on December 6, 2014.

The Brong Ahafo Regional Chairman of the NPP, Kwaku Asomah-Kyeremeh told Citi news that the national council should be guided by 2010 precedent, which he believed was impeccable.

He stated that the proximity of the election of a presidential candidate to the elections to select candidates for the district elections was not the best because it takes attention away from the election of the local government representatives.

He believes that the local government representatives could be key in the national election and as such, their influence should not be underestimated.

Full statement issued by the Regional Chairmen of the NPP

By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Touting himself as the best candidate to win power for the NPP in the next elections, Mr. Kyeremanteng told the NPP’s New York Chapter on Friday that “the thought of losing” the next Presidential election was “frightening” and “difficult to contemplate.

The former Ghana Ambsassador to the United States of America under John Kufuor’s reign as President is in the American city on what he called “a short visit”. Over the weekend, he used his visit to the US to canvass for votes among party loyalists and potential delegates in New York ahead of the NPP’s presidential primary.

Mr. Kyeremanteng lost his first NPP flagbearership race to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in 2007. In 2010, Mr. Kyeremanteng again lost the NPP Presidential Primary to Nana Akufo Addo. Ahead of the 2016 elections the two men, including at least five other party heavyweights, have announced plans to run for the party’s Presidential ticket.

Addressing party loyalists over the weekend, Mr. Kyremanteng said party delegates must give him victory in the next Presidential Primary elections or risk losing the 2016 elections.

“I believe that our main focus as true genuine NPP members should be one thing –– how do we get back into power in 2016,” Mr. Kyeremanteng, who turns 59 in Octorber this year, declared. “For me this must be our overriding objective.”

He went on, “Whatever it takes for us to get into power in 2016; that is what we ought to do. And I am saying at all costs because the thought of not being in power in 2016 is so frightening that it is difficult to contemplate”.

But, he said, getting back into power will “require two things”. First, “we need to fix our” party, he said. Secondly, “we need to choose a leader that will restore us to power”.

According to the former Minister of Trade and Industry under President John Kufuor’s rule, “The first is a necessary condition but is not a sufficient condition. But if we have to fix our party …we have to make sure we mobilize the grassroots to be at the center of our campaign… If you don’t have an effective grassroots machine it is very difficult to win power”.

“Secondly, we need to work as a united family,” he said. “I believe what you hear or see in print may not be as frightening as what is on the ground. I am sure most of you may not know this but I have a very good relationship with Nana Akufo Addo… [And] we still maintain that relationship and I believe we will continue to do that”.

In calling for unity among the grassroots of the NPP in Ghana and around the world, Mr. Kyeremanteng said, “It is our challenge for all those who will be competing for leadership to make sure that we translate this brotherliness to our supporters on the ground. I think that is where the problem [is].”

“If we fix the party, I still believe that we need to be able to elect a candidate who the people of Ghana will vote because it is all about power; any other consideration must be secondary,” he stated.

After years in opposition, the NPP – led by John Kufour – formed a government in 2001 after winning Ghana’s national elections. In 2004, Ghanaians re-elected the NPP for another four-year term. In 2009, however, the NPP – led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo – lost power to Professor John Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress, Ghana’s largest opposition at the time. Again, in 2012, Akufo Addo led the NPP to another election defeat.

According to Mr. Kyeremanteng, the NPP cannot afford to lose the next national elections and that the time has come for the party to give Ghanaian voters a new Presidential Candidate instead of repeating Nana Addo as its flagbearer.

“I want to be very upfront…I think that we have our own senior brother, Nana Akufo Addo. He’s represented the party very well on two previous occasions. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, it’s not been possible for us to get into power. I think that we must explore other opportunities and that is why I will be putting myself up as a candidate when the nominations open and I am here to seek your support,” he said.

Mr. Kyeremanteng said the NPP lost the last two elections largely because of two main factors – apathetic party grassroots and swing voters who did not vote NPP.

“The challenge that we have is not convincing our core voters in the party,” he explained. “… Almost invariably you can imagine that if everything goes well you can expect that our core voters will vote for us. The difference lays in how we convince the swing voters …”

“Let us try to understand the psychology of these swing voters…” he explained. “They are swing voters because there are not aligned necessarily to any party. When you want to deal with a floating voter you’ve got to understand his psychology and almost invariably it is a question of this is the man I want… The advantage that I have is that I have an appeal, somehow, to these floating voters.”

“We have a margin of between 300[000] and 500,000 people who always decide the final vote and so I ask for your support because if indeed we can all work together to put me as the next flagbearer, I can assure you that 2016 we’ll be back in power,” he said to a rousing applause from his audience.

In April this year, NPP delegates elected a new national leadership to run the party for the next four years. However, the party is yet to announce the date for its national congress to elect a Presidential nominee for the 2016 national elections.

By: Richard Dela Sky/ citifmonline.com/Ghana

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